California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach
Name	California State University, Long Beach
Established	1949
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$114.7 million (2021)
President	Jane Close Conoley
Students	38,273 (Fall 2022)
City	Long Beach
State	California
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 322 acres
Colors	Black and Gold
Nickname	The Beach
Affiliations	California State University system, APLU

California State University, Long Beach. It is a public research university and the third-largest campus in the 23-member California State University system. Founded in 1949, the university is located in Long Beach, California, within Los Angeles County, and is widely recognized for its diverse student body and strong programs in the arts, engineering, and health sciences. Under the leadership of President Jane Close Conoley, it has grown into a significant economic and cultural hub for the Greater Los Angeles area.

History

The institution was established in 1949 by California Governor Earl Warren as Los Angeles-Orange County State College, holding its first classes at Wilson High School. In 1950, it moved to its present location on the former site of Mines Field, which later became Los Angeles International Airport. The university was renamed Long Beach State College in 1955, and later California State College, Long Beach, before joining the unified California State University system and receiving its current name in 1972. Key figures in its development include founding president P. Victor Peterson and architect Edward Killingsworth, who designed much of the mid-century modern campus. The university gained national attention in 1970 when President Richard Nixon delivered a major policy address on the Vietnam War from its Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

Campus

The 322-acre urban campus is situated in eastern Long Beach, California, approximately three miles from the Pacific Ocean. Notable landmarks include the distinctive Walter Pyramid sports arena and the University Library, one of the tallest buildings in the city. The campus features a collection of public sculptures and the 87-foot tall Japanese Garden, designed by landscape architect Edward R. Lovell. Academic and administrative buildings are organized around a central quad, with significant structures including the College of the Arts complex, the Hall of Science, and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The campus architecture is primarily Mid-century modern style, with recent additions like the Parkside College of Business building.

Academics

The university is organized into eight colleges: the College of Liberal Arts, College of the Arts, College of Health and Human Services, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Professional and International Education, and the Parkside College of Business. It offers over 80 bachelor's degree programs and more than 70 master's degree programs, including a doctoral program in Educational Leadership conducted jointly with University of California, Irvine. Highly ranked programs include those in Fine Arts, Engineering, Nursing, and Film, with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music and the Department of Film and Electronic Arts receiving particular acclaim. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is a member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Student life

Student life is centered around the University Student Union and over 300 student organizations, including chapters of national Greek letter organizations. Major annual events include Beach Pride events and the Shark Lab open house. The campus media includes the student newspaper, the Daily Forty-Niner, and radio station KBeach Radio. Residential life is supported by several housing complexes, including Los Alamitos Hall and Parkside North. The university's proximity to Los Angeles provides students with extensive internship opportunities with organizations like The Boeing Company, Disney, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Beach, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Big West Conference. The most prominent facilities are the Walter Pyramid and Blair Field. The Long Beach State men's volleyball team has won multiple national championships, and the Long Beach State baseball team, under legendary coach Dave Snow, won the 1998 College World Series. Notable athletic alumni include Misty May-Treanor in beach volleyball, Tony Gwynn in Major League Baseball, and Brent Barry in the National Basketball Association. The university also maintains a rivalry with California State University, Fullerton.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In entertainment and the arts, notable figures include filmmaker Steven Spielberg, actor Kevin Costner, and musician Jake Shimabukuro. In public service and politics, alumni include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and former United States Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. Sports figures include Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor and Baseball Hall of Fame member Tony Gwynn. Other distinguished alumni are Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rubén Salazar and aerospace engineer Christine Darden of NASA.

Category:California State University, Long Beach Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles County, California Category:Public universities and colleges in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1949